May 10 Tornado, British Petroleum Oil Spill and Oklahoma’s Plan to Take Hurricane Shelter Operations to Louisiana and Other States Among Topics Slated for Discussion at Annual Training Event

This week emergency managers from across the state will meet for extensive discussions on their role in preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation efforts related to keeping our communities, state and nation safe. It’s all part of this year’s Oklahoma Emergency Management Conference set for Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Norman. The conference is sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Oklahoma Emergency Management Association (OEMA).

More than 250 emergency managers and other public and private sector officials are expected to be on-hand when the conference, titled “The Changing Face of Emergency Management,” begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31. Conference highlights are listed below.

Tuesday, Aug. 31

10 a.m. – Opening remarks will be provided by Albert Ashwood, OEM director, and David Barnes, OEMA president and Oklahoma County Emergency Management director.

11:30 a.m. – This year’s top emergency management public information efforts will be recognized with presentation of OEM’s 2010 Ben Frizzell Public Information Officer Award. The award is expected to be presented around noon.

1 p.m. – Robert Moore, with Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores, will discuss the company’s severe weather disaster planning and recovery efforts related to the May 10 tornado outbreak.

12:45 p.m. – Dennis Beyer, with the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, will provide an update regarding work completed on All Hazards Incident Management Teams.

1:15 to 4:45 p.m. – Afternoon breakout sessions will feature discussions on Outdoor Warning System Policy Experiences and Challenges, Oklahoma 2-1-1, the latest National Weather Service Programs and Oklahoma’s Plan to Take Hurricane Shelter Operations to Louisiana and Other States.